Local meat supply run by refrigerated van
Buy boxed meat from processors and deliver it to local cafes, caterers and small butchers on a regular run.
- A$50k-150k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
You buy boxed beef, lamb, pork and chicken from processors or larger distributors and deliver it in a refrigerated van to local businesses. Storage can be a rented coolroom space, so you skip a full processing set-up.
Your first three steps
- Ask local cafes, caterers and butchers what they buy, how often and what they pay, then price a few core products
- Find two or three suppliers and a rented coolroom, and get trade pricing and payment terms in writing
- Check with your state meat or food safety authority what licence or registration you need to store and transport meat
Who pays
Cafes, pubs, restaurants, caterers, small independent butchers and corner shops in your area.
How it makes money
You earn the margin between your buying price and the price you charge per kilo or per carton. Regular weekly orders and a tight delivery route make the margin worthwhile.
Skills that help
- Selling to chefs and shop owners
- Route planning and reliable delivery
- Knowing meat cuts and grades
- Careful record keeping and invoicing
Watch out for
- State meat and food safety rules differ, so check your state authority (for example PrimeSafe in Victoria or the NSW Food Authority) and your local council
- Cold chain: the van and storage must hold safe temperatures and you may need to keep temperature records
- Public liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for the vehicle and stock
- Thin margins, customers who pay late and wasted stock if orders drop
- Registering for GST once turnover reaches the threshold
- Startup costs are driven by the refrigerated van (used or new) plus opening stock, so get quotes before committing
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: local meat supply run by refrigerated van
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a meat delivery business with a refrigerated van?
Startup costs are typically around $50,000 to $150,000, depending mainly on whether the refrigerated van is used or new, plus your opening stock. These are estimates, so get quotes before committing.
How much can a refrigerated meat delivery run earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many customers you supply and your order sizes. Margins can be thin, late-paying customers and wasted stock can hurt, and these figures are estimates only.
What rules should I check before supplying meat by van in Australia?
Things to check: state meat and food safety rules differ, so contact your state authority (for example PrimeSafe in Victoria or the NSW Food Authority) and your local council. Also check cold chain requirements, temperature records, insurance, and GST registration.
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